An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir June 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | by SGT WAyNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS SGT KARL ByRNE AND ARMN ADAM FOx Sgt Majors Lead the Way O n the 16th and 17th April 2014, 2 bde hosted the first Defence Forces Ser- geant Majors and Warrant Officers Seminar in Cathal brugha bks. An Cosantóir was kindly invited to visit and observe the group discussions. There was a good turnout over the two days with nearly all unit/brigade/forma- tions being represented by 30 of the 40 Sgt Majors and W/Os in the Defence Forces. The main topics for briefing/discussion were: RDF integration and the 'Single Force' concept; legal; HR management; dress and medals; the promotion system; ceremonial; and the empowerment of the Sgt Major. The tasks of a unit's most senior NCO are varied and arduous: administering NCO du- ties; enforcing discipline; overseeing dress and deport- ment; and at times acting as a mentor - usually by encouragement but sometimes by their bark! They must exercise good judgment, ma- turity, prudence, diplomacy, tact and responsibility when dealing with matters of security or of a sensitive nature. They are the link between the NCOs and the senior officers of the unit. An example of the role of the sergeant major was given by Sgt Ma- jor Derek Lamb (2 Bde HQ), who meets with his ops, logs and admin sections on a weekly basis to look at duties, brigade taskings, ceremo- nial events, and training exercises. During the ceremonial discussion Sgt Major Mick Dillon (DFHQ) spoke about a proposal to issue units an allotment of shirts, ties, collar badges, etc, so that, for example, personnel from Donegal detailed for a guard of honour in Dublin could travel to a central clothing store at short notice. Also under this topic Sgt Major Mark Fitzsimons (Mil Col) spoke about looking at amending the new ceremonial arms drill manual to allow swapping arms while in the 'Ar Shocracht' position. Those attending the seminar also agreed that on ceremonial occasions all supporting staff, such as drivers, etc, should be in Service Dress No 2, and only the security party should wear DPMs. In the discussions relating to the empowerment of the sergeant ma- jor, RSM Noel O'Callaghan (2 Arty Regt) proposed that sergeant majors should be able to sign a transport requisition, which currently requires the signature of an officer. Sgt Major Stan Hurley said that a unit's senior NCO should also be consulted on annual AF667s and have more of a say on unit messes. Under the RDF integration topic Sgt Major Christy Burke (RDFTA) said that reserve personnel should have clear career paths and must meet KPIs (key performance indicators), and that medicals are still difficult to get. All present agreed that that the Single Force concept was a work in progress between the PDF and RDF. Sgt Major Paul Fagan (SPB, DFHQ) thanked Sgt Major Lamb for hosting the conference and said they would try get the discussion topics sent out three months prior to next year's conference – which he asked Sgt Major Dave Galvin (1 Bde HQ) to host. He continued by saying their consolidated 'after action' report would be submitted to the Chief of Staff and the General Staff within two weeks. Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Conor O'Boyle and Brig Gen Michael Beary (GOC 2 Bde) met with the sergeant majors and warrant officers during their conference. Sgt Major Fagan chairs a discussion Sgt Major Derek Lamb addresses the conference

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